Look around the phrase for hints that explain or give meaning to the confusing part.

Context Clues

Use 'make sense of' when you're still figuring something out, not when you've already understood it.

Stress Uncertainty

Sometimes 'make sense of' can imply an emotional struggle to understand something upsetting.

Use 'make sense of' to describe the process of simplifying or explaining something complex.

Often an expert or someone knowledgeable helps to make sense of a challenging topic.

Making sense of something implies active engagement with the material or situation.